Word Origin & History

craze mid-14c., probably from O.N. *krasa "shatter," perhaps via an O.Fr. form. Originally "to shatter;" now-obsolete metaphoric use for "break down in health" (late 15c.) led to noun sense of "mental breakdown." Extension to "mania, fad," is first recorded 1813. Original sense preserved in crazy quilt pattern.

Example Sentences for crazed

It seemed that ordinary watchfulness would not avail against Paul's crazed, homicidal mania.

I thought he must be crazed by over-study, and I could only sit and stare at him, open-mouthed.

Their friends and relatives who came to search for them were crazed and hysterical and needed our attention.

A crazed creatur on a white horse galloped up an' dispersed 'em.

He saw against the wall the wounded, crazed Assistant Secretary, with blood pouring from his wound.

Bill said he was a drifter—a dangerous maniac who must have been crazed by the sun.

He saw stores being broken into, beyond his beat; and brawls as one drunken, crazed crowd met another.

Now, how is that poor passenger who was crazed by a shot from the road-agents?